GIZ’s MOVE-ComCashew project invites young and emerging cashew entrepreneurs to turn a business idea into an investment-ready, climate-smart plan and submit it for a kickstart prize. Winners receive either €2,000 in direct funding or a laptop, tablet or software. The page doesn’t say how many prizes there are. Applicants must be at least 18, based in a member state of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), and have an idea anywhere in the cashew value chain. The deadline is 30 October 2026. Cashew Business Idea Competition
awards/prizes
GIZ Agri-Business Facility for Africa — Business Growth Awards for Young Agripreneurs
GIZ’s Agri-Business Facility for Africa invites young and emerging agripreneurs to turn a business idea into a funded plan through its Agribusiness Growth Challenge. Ideas must fall in maize, livestock (cattle, sheep or goats), cashew or cocoa. The Business Growth Awards are listed as €6,000 in funding, a Dell Pro 14 Essential laptop and a place in a six-month agribusiness mentoring programme. Applicants must be at least 18 and based in a member state of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). Submissions close on 30 October 2026. Business Growth Awards for Young Agripreneurs
MIT Solve — Global Climate Challenge 2027
MIT Solve invites individuals, nonprofits and companies worldwide to submit tech-based solutions that help communities adapt to a warming climate and cut emissions from how people live and eat. Its focus areas are low-carbon, climate-resilient cities, protection from heat, floods, drought and wildfire, climate-resilient or nature-positive agrifood systems, and sustainable use of ocean and coastal systems. Solutions must be at prototype, pilot, growth or scale stage. Every selected team receives a US$10,000 Solver Award and joins a nine-month support program. The sponsored prizes relevant to this challenge include US$150,000 for climate-positive food systems, up to US$100,000 for ocean innovation from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and up to US$100,000 for scale-ready marine technology from Schmidt Marine Technology Partners. Applications are online and close on 02 November 2026. MIT Solve Global Climate Challenge
Johns Hopkins — Demographics and Planetary Health Story Prize
The Demographics and Planetary Health Story Prize honors original published journalism connecting demographic change to planetary health, such as population dynamics, migration, climate, or reproductive health, across two categories: traditional print, podcast, or digital news ($500 USD), and social media, blogs, or video content ($500 USD). Eligible entrants are journalists, freelancers, community reporters, and student journalists; NGO or organizational blog submissions are not eligible. Content must have been published in 2026. The deadline is 09 October 2026. Planetary Health Story Prize
Farm Radio International — Farm Radio Awards
The George Atkins Communication Award recognizes individual radio broadcasters for their outstanding commitment and contribution to food security and poverty reduction in low-income countries. The winners will receive a certificate and C$500. Farm Radio International broadcasting partners in Africa can apply. The deadline to apply is 09 October 2026. Farm Radio Awards
African Leadership Academy — Anzisha Prize for Young Innovators
The Anzisha Prize seeks young innovators ages 15-22 in Africa who develop and implement innovative solutions to challenges facing their communities. Past awards include innovations in energy, agriculture, and ecological consumer products. The grand prize winners will share prizes worth US$140 thousand. Applicants must be nationals of an African country with a business based in Africa for African customers/beneficiaries. The next application closes on 10 November 2026. Anzisha Prize
Imagine H2O — Water Startup Accelerator
Imagine H2O invites early-stage water startups from anywhere in the world to apply for its 2027 accelerator programs. It offers mentorship, training, introductions to a network of technology adopters and investors, and showcase opportunities at industry events. It takes no equity, and no cash award is stated. Startups must be under 10 years old, with revenue under US$5 million and equity investment under US$10 million. Meetings run on Pacific time mornings, which means evenings for African applicants. Applications close 20 November 2026. Water Startup Accelerator
MassChallenge — Sustainable Food Solutions Challenge
MassChallenge seeks startups and corporations with proven solutions or technologies in the areas of Sustainable Food & Feed Solutions, AgTech, and others. The Challenge allows participants to work together, create a joint pitch, and scale up innovative solutions. Selected corporate partners will be invited to the MassChallenge Sustainable Food Solutions Challenge Day. Selected startups will receive CHF1,000 to contribute towards travel to the event. Applicants can be from any geography. However, partners are headquartered in Europe, so physical collaboration would be mostly in Europe. The application deadline is 25 November 2026. Sustainable Food Solutions Challenge
Yves Rocher Foundation — International Terre de Femmes Award
The Yves Rocher Foundation invites applications for the International Terre de Femmes Award to honor women for their achievements in environmental awareness, conservation, and solidarity. This year, the Foundation invites applications from women committed to concrete initiatives that put trees at the heart of cities. Examples include urban tree education projects, community orchards and forest gardens, protecting heritage trees, urban tree nurseries for native species, and re-greening dense or built-up areas. Two winners worldwide each receive a €10,000 grant for their project. The international award is open to women worldwide involved in a project that helps to protect the environment through a non-profit organization. The closing date for applications is 30 November 2026. Terre de Femmes
Learning Planet Institute — Youth Design Challenge
The Learning Planet Youth Design Challenge is an annual global initiative encouraging young individuals aged 15-26 to pitch their ideas for innovative learning programs for their dream university. Participants can pitch programs on one of the following themes: peace and democracy, mental health and wellbeing, and environment and climate. The 12 finalists will receive regular mentorship from a global network of industries with the goal of implementing their programs. The winner receives US$1000. The deadline for submissions is 07 January 2027. Youth Design Challenge